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Columns and Editorials

On Sunday morning, our nation will pause to remember and reflect upon the tragedy known primarily by its date: 9/11.

Those of us old enough to remember that Tuesday in 2001 will never forget where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news. It had the same impact as such other pivotal moments in history, from the attack on Pearl Harbor and President Kennedy’s assassination to Neil Armstrong’s walking on the moon.

Given the top two choices for the person who will be tasked with leading this country and the controversies surrounding each, many have declared they are simply opting out and will choose not to vote for either.

Apathy is not the solution. And not voting is a cowardly way to equip yourself with the best excuse ever to denigrate the effectiveness of whomever is chosen.

At their core, the major American holidays are bound by a common thread: They remind us of who we are and what we stand for, each and every year.

While the Fourth of July celebrates our founding and freedom, Memorial Day and Veterans Day call on us never to forget the high price paid for those enduring gifts. Thanksgiving gives us a moment among loved ones to appreciate the many good things in our lives, and on Labor Day, which arrives this weekend, we pay tribute to the hard work that made our nation what it is today.

When 18 S. Main Street in New Castle was still up for grabs, I seriously considered buying the classic commercial core building.

I stumbled upon the auctioneer one day, sat in the first floor commercial space, shooting the breeze with him about real estate. With his blessing, I glanced around the still-equipped business with all the fittings and fixtures set to go with the building, and then climbed the stairs to make a more careful study of the apartment on the second floor.

Before the mid-1970s, special education in our country’s public schools was all but non-existent. Many students were either outright denied the opportunity to attend because of their disability, or they received inferior instruction if they were able to enroll.

That, thankfully, began to change in 1975, when Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and required each state to provide appropriate services in this critical area.

Kentucky received some welcome news last month when a national study found that no state had a smaller gap when comparing the high school graduation rates of students from low- and higher-income families.

The average gap across the country stands at 15 percent, but it’s just 1 percent here in the commonwealth. In fact, our low-income students graduate at a higher rate than the overall national average, something only five other states can say.

Even as tobacco has declined, agriculture still seems to be a major area of growth for Henry County and its economy.

The afterglow of the Henry County Fair and all the hustle and bustle behind the recent Harvest Showcase probably contributed to this impression, but it seems like most of the favorable attention the county receives stems from agriculturally related topics and products.

I was honored to serve as this year’s chairperson for the Henry County Harvest Showcase, now in its 17th year. We had a wonderful day Saturday for the showcase. The weather cooperated and we estimate that between 3,300 and 3,500 people attended the festival.

An event of that size is truly an undertaking and there are many individuals to thank for the success of this year’s Harvest Showcase.

A tradition that began 17 years ago to celebrate the agricultural roots of Henry County will again take place this weekend.

On Saturday, July 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Henry County Fairgrounds, freinds and neighbors will gather at the Henry County Harvest Showcase to purchase fresh produce, browse local crafts and artwork, eat wonderful food prepared with locally sourced ingredients and be entertained with live music.